Lueck unveils new icon to help symbolize Ridgecrest

RACVB Executive Director Doug Lueck unveiled a proposed icon on Wednesday that would lend itself to better symbolize Ridgecrest — a small scale metal sculpture of what will be a full-size 12 shamans created by local artist Skip Gorman.

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Ridgecrest Daily Independent - Ridgecrest, CA

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Posted Feb. 7, 2013 at 12:39 PM
Updated Feb 8, 2013 at 9:57 AM

Posted Feb. 7, 2013 at 12:39 PM
Updated Feb 8, 2013 at 9:57 AM

RACVB Executive Director Doug Lueck unveiled a proposed icon on Wednesday that would lend itself to better symbolize Ridgecrest — a small scale metal sculpture of 12 shamans created by local artist Skip Gorman.

"Going back in time a little bit, Harris (Brokke) and I talked about do something in Ridgecrest," Lueck said.

Lueck anecdotally referred to a project he had worked on in Victorville.

"We created the biggest American flag in the world and it lasted about a year," he said.

Lueck had indicated doing something similar, but over the years the record for the largest flag grew and the cost might have been prohibitive.

"The city's in a financial hardship and there are some hard spots, so what can we do that will work," he said.

He said he approached Skip Gorman and spoke with him about a project. The end result manifested in a small-scale representation of what would be the final product.

The sculpture would consist of 12 shamans integrated into a 12-foot statue, and would sit in front of the Ridgecrest Visitor's Center.

The board voted to approve and fund the project.

Maturango Museum Executive Director Harris Brokke indicated it would be great addition to Ridgecrest.

"This is a great way for the city to show that we are home to one of the finest petroglyphs in North America," Brokke told the board.

Gorman is an established artist in Ridgecrest and the Indian Wells Valley. His work is present up and down the community. One of the more prolific and well-known pieces is the massive metal horseshoe joshua tree sculpture standing on Highway 14.

"I'm looking forward to getting started," Gorman said over the phone Wednesday.

Gorman said the full-scale version — once he was finished — would be 12 feet tall and made of quarter-inch thick steel.

After speaking with Lueck about general ideas, Gorman said he started drumming up ideas.

"I offered the problem up to the right side of my brain," he said.

He said the title Hunting Magic "really hit the spot" in many ways.

"The title was appropriate in a way because film producers visit our valley looking for magic," Gorman said.

Of projects like Hunting Magic Gorman said, "I'm always eager to extend myself to municipal art and not depend on civic funding."